Devil's Courthouse (1.0 mile; d=1.70)
Read MoreDevils Courthouse Hike Route Map
An approximate track of my quick hike up Devils Courthouse as depicted a la Google Earth...
Devils Courthouse Hike Route Map
My (approximate) Route...
Devil's Courthouse NC-215 View
Devil's Courthouse as seen from the southwest along Highway 215...
Devil's Courthouse Overlook -- 5,460'
The classic view of the Courthouse from the overlook and trailhead along the Blue Ridge Parkway...
Devil's Courthouse Overlook -- 5,460'
The trail to the top of Devil's Courthouse is short, only about a half-mile, but ascends around 400-feet in that short distance making the hike a decent workout...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,500'
Devil's Courthouse Tunnel from the point where the trail leaves the Parkway and starts its steep ascent...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,500'
Not a wilderness trail...the paved pathway and warning signs are a good indicator of that...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,530'
It's really hard to express in a photo just how steep the trail is here...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,550'
There were still a good number of rhododendron displaying flowers but you could tell their days were numbered...remarkable in the fact that they should just be blooming at this time of year...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,600'
Up, up, up...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,620'
Nearer the summit a few more spruce start to assert themselves over the mixed understory...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,650'
Not hard to see why I enjoy a good early summer hike in the southern mountains, is it?
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,680'
Just about at the top...
Devil's Courthouse Trail -- 5,700'
Just prior to reaching the summit a brief view north peeks through the trees...
kw
on June 1, 2012Sorry-- forgot to rate the album-- it wasn't hard! Thanks for taking us for a hike through the Smokies!
kw
on June 1, 2012Wow! What beauty! It was hard NOT to give a thumbs up to every photo in this album! What a beautifully clear day you had--- strikingly clear photos! :)